Paul Begala: D.C. Circuit rejects Trump's claim of absolute immunity from prosecution

Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sharply denied former President Donald Trump ’s claim to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The justices must now decide whether to halt the new ruling, or allow proceedings at the trial court to move forward at a pace that might affect the election's outcome.

If the former president persuades the justices to freeze the case for months , then wins the election, he will undoubtedly exploit his office to scrap the prosecution.

The D.C. Circuit gave Trump just six days to appeal the ruling before it allows Judge Chutkan to continue preparing for trial.

Trump can also ask the Supreme Court to weigh in, and halt the lower court’s order in the meantime.

Frida Ghitis: The Supreme Court will have three likely options: deny the stay and refuse to take up the case.

She says the court must decide that Trump has a significant shot at success on the merits, but he does n’t .

Ghitis says the justices must either go all the way in or stay out in this instance.